Summarised by Centrist

The Free Speech Union (FSU) will take New Zealand’s immigration authorities to court over their decision to deny US conservative commentator Candace Owens an Entertainer’s Work Visa if the Minister of Immigration does not reverse the decision. 

Owens, known for her outspoken views, was barred entry due to a provision of the Immigration Act applied when someone has been excluded from another country. FSU claims Immigration New Zealand (INZ) misinterpreted the law, insisting the Act doesn’t apply in this case.

Owens was recently denied entry to Australia in October, with Immigration Minister Tony Burke citing her potential to incite discord, stating: “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.” Burke referenced past comments from Owens on the Holocaust and slavery.

Chief Executive Jonathan Ayling stated: “We do not believe Immigration New Zealand is applying an accurate interpretation of ‘exclusion’ in this case.”

He noted that the relevant law is intended for individuals convicted of serious crimes or formally deported, adding, “Owens’ exclusion appears to [have] come as a result of technicalities of law, not an explicit decision by officials.”

Ayling expressed concerns about the perception of political bias, pointing out that groups such as Young Labour had already called for Owens to be denied entry.

Read more over at The Epoch Times

_{Image: Gage Skidmore}